Flight
There are few places he can think of off the top of his head that he'd be less inclined to be than the airport two days before Christmas.
He takes another sip of coffee from one of the cups in his hands, and shuffles closer to the giant Christmas tree erected in the terminal of Reagan National Airport as a family of six fly by wielding rolling luggage and a screaming infant. Another inclement weather alert sounds over the large atrium, and for what seems like the hundredth time since he'd arrive well over an hour ago, he's informed once more of what he already knows. The winter storm of the century has arrived and very well begun, and airport staff and security urge prospective flyers and travelers to seek a place for the night, and quickly.
He sighs as he takes another sip of coffee, having long since accepted his fate of being a victim to the bumper to bumper traffic that is surely building up along highways and freeways.
But as a loud voice from the gate he stands vigil beside announces the arrival of the anticipated flight, he's reminded why he has decided to brave the harrows of furious weather and the impacted district traffic, and the crowds of impatient, pushy travelers on the eve of the Christmas holidays.
He spots her straight away as she exits behind a fierce looking business woman, already on her phone and cutting short, brief commands across the line. Ziva eyes the woman warily as she attempts to step around her, and her eyes find his as soon as she fumbles for her bag around the suitcase and backpack slung over her shoulders.
Her eyes brighten in complete and utter surprise, and that look is all it takes to bring the first smile to his face of the evening as he flashes her a winning grin, maneuvering around the swarm of waiting families to navigate his way toward her.
"Tony," and he doesn't think he imagines the tone of affection that creeps into her voice as her lips curve in the rare smile he so often chases. With that, he can't help but lean in impulsively to kiss her cheek, and before she has time to register the gesture, he's grinning back at her, pressing the second coffee cup in his possession into her glove covered hand.
"Welcome back," He laughs as her face contorts into perfect confusion, trading glances between the coffee that warms her hand and his presence before her.
"Thank you…." She replies hesitantly, frowning as he moves to take her bags from her shoulder, being careful to mind the curls that try to tangle under the straps. He heaves them over his own shoulder successfully, and draws a light hand down her back to guide her out of the fray of the crowded terminal.
"What are you doing here?" Ziva jogs to keep up as Tony makes a sudden turn down a less crowded hall, his attention on the signs that direct them toward a lower level parking garage.
"Tony, how long have you been here?" She doesn't give him a chance to respond, frowning instead as she notices the signs. "You parked. In a garage."
They finally come to a stop beside an elevator, and Tony reluctantly drops his hand from the small of her back as he turns to face her, a little breathless from hustling across the airport.
He flounders around for words, gesturing with his hands in front of him and adjusts the strap of her bag once more over his shoulder. His face tenses as if he was now questioning his decision to come retrieve her, and she recognizes his discomfort for what it is as he tries to backpedal.
"Well I knew you were probably going to try to get a cab, and at this time of year you would have been here for ages." He rolls his eyes in exaggeration. "And there's a storm hitting us, as you can see, so I left the office a little early, had McGee do his thing to find your flight, no big deal." he explains, nonchalant, and takes a breath and shoots her an easy smile. "Easier than dealing with traffic and rushing to find you before you got lost in this mess."
Ziva's eyes soften as he shrugs ever so casually, and she drops her head head to the side, regarding him fondly for several moments in silence.
"I did not ask you to do that for me." She finally murmurs, not unkindly. "Or to get me coffee. Or carry my bags." She smiles, though, to convey her gratitude, and takes a sip to hide the blush she feels beginning to warm her cheeks.
Tony's face relaxes at her assurance, and he hits the elevator button as his eyes travel over her warmly.
"Well what kind of partner would I be if I let you take a cab home?"
She laughs lightly, and cautiously reaches for his hand, intertwining their fingers before giving him a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you," She murmurs sincerely, holding his gaze until his grin settles across his face, and then releases his hand to move closer to him.
He wraps an arm around her waist as the elevator dings before them, and they step into the metal box, christmas music echoing within the steel walls around them.
"Hey, it's Christmas." Tony squeezes her hip, and looks down at her warm grin. "And that's what partners are for."
She takes another sip of coffee, diverting her eyes and hiding a secret smile. Although she watched their city come into focus high above, it's only now being received by her partner's warm welcome and his ever faithful presence that she finally feels at home.